Oh, didn't realize Soifon had died. And oh my, I worry Hitsugaya might be in over his head trying to play games with Aizen.

"Give me a victory that costs them one of their most promising captains: You." What the. He can't mean it literally, as in Hitsugaya's own death. So ... does he mean it figuratively? That a win against Ichigo would be such a betrayal that Hitsugaya would be the cost?

"since he was already deviating from the plan he'd outlined to them" Oh? How will the rest of the Captains know he isn't defecting or whatnot? Guess he knows them that well.

So Hitsugaya went to the real world so his route to Hueco Mundo wouldn't be obvious?

"These, too, were ray skin," What's ray skin?

"to convince Aizen to let him join him" What! Oooooooooooooh.

"than the one Espada who had escaped the Winter War to remain in the desert" Wonder who that is. Wouldn't be surprised if it was Ulquiorra and they didn't tell Orihime.

"He adored it." Awwww.

"if it hadn't been for the fact that Hinamori was so fragile (...) then she would even now be the acting captain of the 5th." As hard as it is to find it done well, I love it when Hinamori can rise above. And esepcially when she takes captaincy. C'mon Hinamori, pull through!

"and him—not—killing Aizen" That 'not' really made the sentence confusing for me, but that might be on purpose too.

Omg this fanfic is awesome. I cant wait for your next update. This is like something i always wanted to read. Its so well written too. One of the greater bleach fanfictions out there. Really excited for your next update!